At a time when most were in panic mode to cross everything off their Christmas shopping list, Wayne Hickey was already giving out his own gift – one that will saves lives of people he’ll never even meet.

On the morning of Christmas Eve, the 54-year-old Cambridge resident woke up knowing his visit to the Canadian Blood Services donor clinic at the Newfoundland Club was going to be a milestone moment. The timing of the clinic is significant, as donations during the holidays tend to decline due to busy holiday schedules, leaving supplies dangerously short.

“It’s Christmas,” said Hickey, waiting at the clinic for his pre-donation interview. “A lot of people don’t want to donate.”

While Hickey’s donation answers the desperate appeal for donations at this time of year, his visit to the clinic Monday was noteworthy for another reason.

He woke that morning with special pride in his heart, knowing that he would be making his 125th donation to Canadian Blood Services.

It has taken Hickey 34 years to accomplish the personal goal. And it’s one he takes seriously. Under Canadian Blood Services guidelines, a donor can only give every 57 days. Hickey counts down – to the day – the time between each donation. He’s also been known to bring friends along with him each time he gives.

To help illustrate the depth of his donation, officials have told Hickey that his blood has filled an entire gas tank, and he’s already one-quarter of the way to filling a second one.

It’s a worthy gift, as someone’s life hangs in the balance in Canada every minute of every day, according to Canadian Blood Services officials.

Hickey is familiar with the statstics about how many lives can be saved. However, it’s not about numbers for the Cambridge man. His inspiriation grew from the many people he met during his employment as a custodian at Cambridge Memorial Hospital.

“I saw a lot of sick people,” he recalled.

He got to know children afflicted with hemophilia, whose lives depended on constant blood donations. He has seen the faces of the people who need blood, and hasn’t stopped donating since.

The next clinic will be held on Dec. 29 from 9 a.m. to noon at Maranatha Christian Reformed Church, 94 Elgin St. S. For information, visit www.blood.ca.